Punjab Deceased Transportation Service: Free Ambulance for Bereaved Families

Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the added stress of arranging transport from the hospital. To ease this burden, the Government of Punjab has introduced the Deceased Transportation Service — a free, dignified ambulance service that carries a deceased person from a government hospital directly to their family's home. It is the first program of its kind run by any provincial government in Pakistan, and it is managed by Rescue 1122.

Here is a clear, practical overview of how the service works, where it is currently available, and how a family can request it.

What Is the Deceased Transportation Service?

Approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the service provides free ambulance transport for the deceased from government hospitals to their homes, and in many cases, from one city to another as well. Trained, uniformed Rescue 1122 drivers handle the process with care, and staff have been directed not to accept any payment from families under any circumstance.

The service is monitored through a smart management system so that every request is tracked and every tehsil is eventually covered under the program.

Where Is the Service Currently Available?

The program was launched in its first phase in three major cities:

Lahore
Multan
Rawalpindi

According to official statements, the government plans to gradually extend the service to every tehsil across Punjab, with each tehsil eventually receiving its own dedicated ambulance under the program.

Key Details at a Glance

Service Cost	Completely free — no payment accepted under any circumstance
Managed By	Rescue 1122 (Punjab Emergency Service)
How to Request	Call 1122 or contact the hospital help counter
Coverage (Phase 1)	Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi
Planned Expansion	Every tehsil in Punjab
Inter-City Transport	Also available free of charge
Availability	Round the clock

How to Request the Service

Families do not need to fill out any complicated paperwork. The process is designed to be as simple as possible during a difficult time:

Call the Rescue 1122 helpline, or
Visit the help counter at the government hospital where the deceased is located.
A dedicated vehicle and trained driver are dispatched to transport the deceased from the hospital to the family's home.
If needed, the service also covers transport between cities at no cost.

Staff have been clearly instructed that the service is entirely free, so families should not feel any obligation to offer payment.

Why This Service Matters

Arranging private transport for a deceased family member has traditionally added financial and emotional strain during an already painful time. By making this a free, government-run service, Punjab aims to:

Remove the financial burden on grieving families
Ensure the deceased are transported with dignity and care
Standardize a service that was previously inconsistent or costly through private operators
Provide round-the-clock access rather than relying on informal arrangements

The Punjab government has also indicated it plans to regulate private ambulance services and review standard rates, so that families who need alternatives are not overcharged either.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Deceased Transportation Service really free?
Yes. The service is completely free of cost, and Rescue 1122 staff have been directed not to accept payment from families under any circumstance.

Which cities have this service right now?
As of the initial rollout, the service is available in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, with plans to expand to every tehsil in Punjab.

How do I request the service?
You can call the Rescue 1122 helpline or speak to the help counter at the government hospital where your loved one passed away.

Can the service transport a body to a different city?
Yes. Inter-city transportation of the deceased is also covered free of charge under this program.

Is the service available at night or on holidays?
Yes, the service is designed to be available round the clock.

Disclaimer: This post is an independent informational guide and not an official government publication. For the latest coverage areas and procedures, please contact Rescue 1122 directly or check official Punjab government announcements.

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